Tournament Legality of Sleeves

[Skeggi]

What are the specifications of a tournament legal sleeve? I'm currently using the UltraPro ones with the back that sort of looks like a Magic card, but someone pointed out to me they may not be tournament legal.

http://www.tcgplayer.com/images/sleeves/Ultra-Pro-Sleeves_mtg.jpg

[yggdrasil]

What are the specifications of a tournament legal sleeve?
The Head Judge has to say "Those are acceptable sleeves".

Guidelines are: single color, not overly reflective backs are perfect. Images on the back are sometimes a problem because if you look for it, you can very easily see slightly miscutted sleeves if you're looking for it and with this mark your cards. In most cases, art that doesn't reach to the edge is fine because it eliminates most of this problem. But as always: Head Judges decision.

[on1y0ne]

When I run large events, I look for sleeves that are overly reflective and those with images that extend to the end of the sleeve. The Ultra Pro sleeves you picture are ones that I would never have a problem with since the image does not reach the edge.

Slight variations in how the sleeves are cut could cause there to be differences at the edges where the design differs slightly. Although I do not know of anyone ever memorizing the slight design variations, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Remember that it is better to eliminate a problem before it has the chance to become a problem rather than let there be the opportunity for an issue.

[MULocke]

The sleeves in the picture are in fact tournament legal, assuming the judge doesn't have any specific problems with markings. You have to be careful with art on the back of sleeves, but the rule as far as I know is that the art cannot go all the way to the edge of the sleeve. Art that extends to the edge is much more likely to differ slightly and be noticable and usable to your advantage (cheating, etc). Your art leaves a black border around the edge, so you're safe. I've used those sleeves in small tournaments before, and I've played against people with them before (actually, I played a guy at Regionals with them. We went past time, so there were definitely judges watching us and our decks).

[majikal]

On the other hand, while those particular sleeves might be tournament legal, they are, in fact, a piece of shit. I bought a couple of packs of them once and they started breaking the same day. I never have that problem with the matte-backed, single-color packs of 50 though.

[Skeggi]

I reckognize that problem with other sleeves, but haven't had it so much with these. I've had better sleeves, I admit, the Japanese sleeves are awesome. But I like the style of these, so I don't mind 1 ripping every now and then. As long as it doesn't happen too often.

[on1y0ne]

On the other hand, while those particular sleeves might be tournament legal, they are, in fact, a piece of shit. I bought a couple of packs of them once and they started breaking the same day. I never have that problem with the matte-backed, single-color packs of 50 though.
They are hit and miss. I have gotten packs of the sleeves that lasted through multiple tournaments without a single one breaking and I have broken a dozen sleeves in a single event. There is some inconsistency with the production process, I do believe.

[Dark_Cynic87]

I have like 6 packs of those, I love them. I use them for my stax list. Breaking happens, but I don't care. It's just money. I have never had someone question the legality of them at a tourney either.

Pce,

--DC

[Malchar]

WI'm currently using the UltraPro ones with the back that sort of looks like a Magic card...

Really? They sort of look like a Magic card? I suggest using regular mono-color sleeves if you're actually worried about tournament legality. They're usually less expensive anyway. Also, I have found that Ultrapro sleeves wear down more easily than Dragonshield.

[Arctic_Slicer]

The DCI doesn't disallow any specific type of sleeves in tournaments, however the tournament organizer can choose toban specific classes of sleeves at events.

The DCI has an article for judges titled Sleeves: When to Disallow (http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=judge/article/20070416a) that is a pretty good read on what judges are looking for when choosing to disallow certain types of sleeves.

So long as you're sleeves aren't obscuring the card, revealing information or visibly marked you will usually be able with what ever sleeves you want even at the highest levels of events. A recent example would be the Pokemon Sleeves Matteo Orsini-Jones was using at Pro Tour Kyoto (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju_LZGBN5qU) earlier this year.

[Skeggi]

Really? They sort of look like a Magic card? I suggest using regular mono-color sleeves if you're actually worried about tournament legality. They're usually less expensive anyway. Also, I have found that Ultrapro sleeves wear down more easily than Dragonshield.
Yeah, the Magic logo is yellow instead of blue and it lacks the Deckmaster logo. These sleeves are very clear so foil cards look better in them. Dragonshields aren't as clear.

The DCI has an article for judges titled Sleeves: When to Disallow (http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=judge/article/20070416a)
According to that article the Pokémon sleeves wouldn't be legal at the Pro Tour.

[Anusien]

Those sleeves look like they have a solid black border. But it's hard to make out details from grainy youtube videos.

[Adan]

What are the specifications of a tournament legal sleeve? I'm currently using the UltraPro ones with the back that sort of looks like a Magic card, but someone pointed out to me they may not be tournament legal.

http://www.tcgplayer.com/images/sleeves/Ultra-Pro-Sleeves_mtg.jpg

These sleeves are definitely legal. I watched some random streams of Extended and Standard GPs and people like LSV and Nassif play with them frequently.

Additionally, the sleeves are produced by Ultra Pro in order of WotC and therefore they have to be tournament legal. I asked quite a lot of judges and they all say they would prohibit these sleeves, but they simply have to allow it.

[cdr]

These sleeves are definitely legal. I watched some random streams of Extended and Standard GPs and people like LSV and Nassif play with them frequently.

Additionally, the sleeves are produced by Ultra Pro in order of WotC and therefore they have to be tournament legal. I asked quite a lot of judges and they all say they would prohibit these sleeves, but they simply have to allow it.

Everything you said there is irrelevant or near irrelevant. See the guidelines Arctic Slicer linked to. They meet all the criteria, so there is no reason to disallow them.

[rockout]

http://www.tcgplayer.com/images/sleeves/Ultra-Pro-Sleeves_mtg.jpg

Does anyone know how well these sleeves wear in reference to another sleeve type or brand?

Also, what is the call when I have black back sleeves that have different hues of black like I used 2 difference packs of black back sleeves each the same type but from a different manufacturing print. For instance one may be lighter than another black and you can only really tell the difference when you shine it back and forth in light.

[Anusien]

Also, what is the call when I have black back sleeves that have different hues of black like I used 2 difference packs of black back sleeves each the same type but from a different manufacturing print. For instance one may be lighter than another black and you can only really tell the difference when you shine it back and forth in light.
If you can tell the difference, they're marked. Check for that when you buy them.

[Skeggi]

Everything you said there is irrelevant or near irrelevant. See the guidelines Arctic Slicer linked to. They meet all the criteria, so there is no reason to disallow them.
Actually, they don't for PRO REL:

Professional-level events are the most restrictive environment for sleeves. (...) Sleeves at these events are restricted to monocolored art that doesn't come to the edge, a uniform sleeve color, and non-reflective backs.
The art isn't monocolored is it. And by monocolored art, do they mean a logo in 1 color is allowed on top of a one-colored surface, or just only that one-colored surface? They say they make an exception for these:
http://www.wizards.com/dci/judge/images/070416c.jpg
Because the quality is so good or something. But as far as I know I thought they already had monocolored art.

If I should believe the article, the sleeves in my OP and the Pokémon sleeves should be illegal at PRO REL events because the art isn't monocolored?

[Jujuhawk]

I'm pretty sure that doesn't matter. I mean, in the top 8 of berlin they were using the art-back sleeves made by ultra pro :\.